Harford County, MD – A 28-year-old man has been arrested after allegedly stealing seven puppies from a Maryland apartment and selling them outside a nearby mall, authorities said. Officials described the theft as unusual, noting that the suspect had initially pretended to be interested in buying the puppies before taking them.
Incident Overview
The alleged thief, Kahili Hines, reportedly visited a Harford County apartment on November 14 under the pretense of purchasing a puppy for an acquaintance. Charging documents obtained by WJZ indicate that after leaving to supposedly get money, Hines returned later to steal all seven puppies along with their mother while the victim slept.
“In my experience, we have not had a theft involving a litter of puppies, so this was definitely unique,” said Aberdeen Police Captain Will Reiber.
Hines is facing burglary and theft charges in connection with the case.
Timeline of Events
Authorities said the incident began when the victim, who was selling the puppies on behalf of his sister, received a call from an acquaintance claiming her nephew (Hines) was interested in buying one of the puppies. Hines visited the apartment, then left to supposedly retrieve money. Hours later, the victim discovered that all seven puppies and the mother dog were gone.
On November 30, the victim and others learned via FaceTime that Hines allegedly still had the puppies. Subsequent investigation and witness statements led police to identify Hines as the suspect who had visited the apartment on November 14.
Sale of the Stolen Puppies
Police say Hines then sold the puppies from a wagon outside Arundel Mills Mall in Anne Arundel County. Authorities have not attempted to recover the puppies, citing a desire to preserve the new relationships the animals may have formed with their current owners. Instead, officials are requesting information from anyone who purchased a puppy to help establish safe ownership.
“We believe those puppies are still out there,” Reiber said. “The owner of the puppies just wants to make sure the puppies have found a safe home and also we would love to get the details from anyone that purchased a puppy to find out how they came into possession of the dog.”
Law Enforcement Response
Police praised detectives for quickly narrowing down the suspect through interviews, FaceTime calls, and witness statements. The investigation revealed both the theft and the location where the puppies were sold, enabling authorities to bring charges against Hines.
Captain Reiber highlighted the emotional impact of such thefts:
“The relationships between animals and humans, it’s a very strong bond. I can only imagine as a dog owner myself what it would feel like to go through that separation from your puppy, something you’ve just brought into the world and want to sell and do the best for.”
Community Awareness
Authorities are asking the public for assistance in identifying anyone who may have purchased one of the stolen puppies. Residents who acquire pets from local sales are urged to verify the source and contact police if they have relevant information.
Officials stress that ensuring the safe and responsible placement of the puppies remains a priority while the investigation continues.
Conclusion
Kahili Hines, 28, faces multiple felony charges following the alleged theft and sale of seven puppies from a Harford County apartment. Authorities continue to seek public cooperation to ensure the puppies are in safe homes and to complete the ongoing investigation.
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